CPA News Releases, Advisories, and Editorials

IN 2004, PROGRESSIVES MADE PROGRESS IN THE STATES

Everyone knows that Election 2004 was a disaster for progressives. But few are aware that 2004 was an excellent year for progressive policy across the states.

ﾓProgress in the States,ﾔ a December 2004 report from the Washington, DC-based Center for Policy Alternatives (ATTACHED), lists 107 proactive, progressive state measures that became law in 2004. Among its highlights:

• Minimum wageﾗFlorida, Rhode Island and New York raised the minimum wage and Nevada voters approved a future minimum wage increase. Now 14 states give workers more than the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour.
• Millionaireﾒs taxﾗCalifornia and New Jersey raised the top tax rate for those statesﾒ richest households.
• Domestic partnershipsﾗWhile same-sex marriage was rejected in many states, New Jersey and Maine became the fifth and sixth states to officially recognize same-sex couples.
• Clean carsﾗNew Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut became the fifth, sixth and seventh states to adopt verﾬsions of Californiaﾒs low-emission vehicle program.

Some direct challenges to Bush Administration policies:

• Overtime payﾗNew rules by the U.S. Department of Labor disqualify millions of workers from overtime pay. States will undoubtedly follow the lead of Illinois, which enacted a law protecting overtime pay.
• Emergency contraceptionﾗWhile the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules against over-the-counter sale of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), Maine became the sixth state to allow pharmacists to disperse ECPs without a prescription.
• Prescription drug pricesﾗWhile the Bush Administration has been siding with the drug manufacturers, eighteen states enacted or implemented a wide range of policies to make prescripﾬtion drugs more accessible and affordable. Since 2000, states have led a revolution in the prescription drug marﾬketplace, going far beyond federal policies.
• Medical marijuanaﾗWhile the U.S. Attorney General attacked marijuana laws, Vermont and Montana became the 11th and 12th states to legalize medical marijuana.

Other interesting progressive victories:

• Death penalty for juvenile offendersﾗSouth Dakota and Wyoming became the 30th and 31st states to ban the death penalty for offenders under the age of 18. These actions may make the difference in persuadﾬing the U.S. Supreme Court to declare the juvenile death penalty unconstitutional.
• Electronic recording of interrogationsﾗFollowing the lead of Illinois in 2003, Maine became the fourth state to require police to audio or video tape interrogaﾬtions during investigations of serious crimes.
• Smoke-free workplacesﾗMassachusetts and Rhode Island became the sixth and seventh states to enact comﾬprehensive smoke-free workplaces statutes.
• Tobacco taxesﾗTobacco taxes were increased in thirﾬteen states in 2003 and eight more states in 2004. There appears to be no end in sight.
• Offshoring of jobsﾗEight states took legislative or administrative action to cancel prior contracts or block future contracts for state services that would be perﾬformed outside the United States.
• Renewable energyﾗColorado, Hawaii, Maryland and Rhode Island adopted ﾓrenewable portfolio standardsﾔ requiring electric utilities to generate more power from renewable energy sources.

With the White House and Congress firmly in the hands of conservatives, state legislators have become the vanguard of the progressive movement. In 2005, and for years to come, the action will be in the states. Fortunately, thatﾒs where progressives are building a winning record.